[7:32 PM] #17 North Carolina @ Duke

What will be the GAME RESULT?

#17 North Carolina: Wins By Double Digits

@ Duke: Wins or Single Digit Loss

 

Current odds:

North Carolina Tar Heels (-9.5): (TBD)

Duke Blue Devils (+9.5): (TBD)

 

• ESPN simulations have Duke as XX% favorites to cover the spread.

• XX% of sports bets are currently on North Carolina to win as (TBD) favorites.

• The line for this game is North Carolina by 11.

• North Carolina running back Elijah Hood hopes to build off his best game of the season when the 13th-ranked Tar Heels visit Duke on Thursday night in a battle for the Victory Bell. Hood, who has battled nagging injuries all season, rushed for 168 yards in last Saturday’s 48-20 victory over Georgia Tech as North Carolina kept hopes of a trip to the ACC Championship game alive.

• Hood’s improved production enhances the Tar Heels’ potent passing attack, led by junior quarterback Mitch Trubisky and senior receiver Ryan Switzer. Trubisky completes 70.3 percent of his passes for 2,707 yards and 19 touchdowns with only two interceptions while Switzer boasts 70 receptions for 728 yards. North Carolina’s offense put up 636 yards last week, the seventh-most in school history, and the defense has picked up its game – giving up an average of 15.7 points during its winning streak.

• The Blue Devils lost starting quarterback Thomas Sirk before the season and leading rusher Jela Duncan went down a few weeks ago as chances of a bowl trip dwindle. Freshman quarterback Daniel Jones has performed well after replacing Sirk, completing 62 percent of his passes for 2,037 yards with 11 TD strikes to go along with nine interceptions and rushing for another 375 yards and five scores. Junior Shaun Wilson is the top rushing threat (449 yards) remaining and sophomore T.J. Rahming leads the receivers with 42 catches for 409 yards.

• Duke DB Breon Borders leads the ACC in pass breakups (11) and LB Ben Humphreys is sixth in tackles per game (nine).

• Switzer, who owns the school record for career receptions (218), is 92 receiving yards away from passing Quinshad Davis (2,614) for second on that list.

• The Blue Devils are 4-7 against nationally ranked opponents since the start of 2013.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: North Carolina: Wins by Double Digits

Confidence: 5/10

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